France train attack heros receive Legion of Honour

(Vatican Radio) French President Francois Hollande on Monday morning awarded France's highest honour, the Legion d'honneur or Legion of Honour to three U.S. citizens and a Briton who helped disarm an alleged gunman on a train last week.

Listen to Lydia O’Kane's report

Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler and Briton Chris Norman were rewarded for their bravery at the Elysee Palace on Monday after they risked their own lives to confront a man armed with guns and ammunition on the high-speed train on Friday carrying 500 passengers.

Speaking before the presentation of the Legion of Honour, French President Francois Hollande said, "We are here to honour four men who, thanks to their bravery, managed to save lives. They showed what could be done in terrible circumstances.

"In the name of France”, he said, “I would like to thank you. The whole world admires your bravery. It should be an example to all of us and inspire us. You put your lives at risk in order to defend freedom."

He added, the men showed ``that faced with terror, we have the power to resist. You also gave a lesson in courage, in will, and thus in hope.”

The men were on holiday and on board the high-speed Amsterdam to Paris train when they tackled the alleged gunman.

Police are continuing to question Moroccan national for his alleged links to a radical Islamic movement.

On Sunday Spencer Stone spoke about the incident.

“All three of us started punching him while he was in the middle of us”

Two other passengers will receive the honour at a later date.